Untitled Sermon (2)

Invitation Series

Seven Woes on the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees

13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to

The New International Version. (2011). (Mt 23:13). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

CHALLENGING INVITATION MARK 8:34-38

I. Invitation Series

A. Different Kinds of Invitations

1. Invitations to salvation

a. All of us are in need of this invitation

(Rom 3:23)

b. All of us can accept this invitation (Rom 5:8; 10:9, 13)

2. Invitations to find comfort (Matt. 11:28)

a. Physical Rest

b. Emotional Rest

c. Spiritual Rest

3. Invitations to pray in times of need (Jer. 33:3)

B. Now a Challenging Invitation:

1. An invitation to discipleship

2. An invitation to count the cost

3. An invitation to suffering, deprivation, and even

martyrdom

II. What This Challenging Invitation Is All About

(SLIDE 1)

A. A Challenge to Forget Self

Mark 8:34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

1. “Let him deny himself’

2. This is not an easy challenge to accept

a. We’re all prone to look out for number one

b. Even the disciples longed for high places(Mark 10:27-40)

Mar 10:35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask."

Mar 10:36 "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.

Mar 10:37 They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory."

Mar 10:38 "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?"

Mar 10:39 "We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with,

Mar 10:40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared."

Mar 10:41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John.

3. Discipleship calls for giving Christ first place

a. Seek first the kingdom of God

Mat 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

b. Christ has to have the preeminence

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Colossians 1:17-18

Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

4. Who’s on the throne of your life?

Mat 6:24 "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

5. Who has first place, self or the Savior?

B. A Challenge to Full Surrender

(SLIDE 2)

Mark 8:34

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

1. “Let him. . . take up his cross”

2. The cross is about death

a. Jesus had just revealed His coming death

(v. 31)

b. Peter rebelled at this message (v. 32)

c. He didn’t yet understand God’s plan of redemption

3. Taking up the cross is about full surrender

a. Christ surrendered Himself to the cross to save us

b. We are to surrender to Him in everything

4. What are you holding back from your Lord?

C. A Challenge to Follow Our Savior

(SLIDE 3)

Mark 8:34

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

1. “Let him. . . follow me”

2. Only the saved can follow Jesus

a. The indwelling Holy Spirit makes this possible

John 14:17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

b. He enables us to endure hardship for Christ

3. Following Christ may lead through difficult places

4. That’s what discipleship is all about

John 13:15-17

Joh 13:15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Joh 13:16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

Joh 13:17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

5. Following Jesus Requires:

a. Trust. (Columbus illustration)

b. Obedience

c. Service

Matt 20:28

“…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

III. Accepting This Challenging Invitation Makes Life Worthwhile

(SLIDE 4)

A. In Holding Back, We Lose the Best in Life (v. 35)

Mark 8:35

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.

B. Will You Accept the Challenges of Discipleship?

1. Deny Yourself?

2. Take up Your Cross?

3. Follow Jesus?

C. Jesus Accepts you, just as you are

1. He died for you

2. Gave His Body

3. Shed His blood